New York Yankees All The Time !

Month: September 2017

New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Hicks (31) is greeted in the dugout after scoring in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians during game one of a double header at Yankee Stadium.

By Brendan Kuty

The Yankees activated outfielder Aaron Hicks off the disabled list on Tuesday, the team said.

Hicks has been out since Sept. 3 with a left oblique strain. He spent June 26 to Aug. 10 on the DL with a right oblique strain.

Here’s what it may mean for the Yankees:

4TH OUTFIELDER: When Hicks returns, it’s likely he’ll reassume the job he had at the start of the season as the team’s reserve outfielder.

MAYBE MORE?: The 27-year-old could actually see more playing time, though, and for two reasons. Manager Joe Girardi said Monday that one of his top priorities this week while gearing up for the American League Wild Card Game — the Yankees don’t have a realistic change at winning the division — was to rest his outfielders. Girardi mentioned giving Aaron Judge a day off. Brett Gardnerrecently had a pair of days off. Girardi added that Jacoby Ellsburycould get a couple days off, too. That’s where Hicks comes in.

There’s a chance Hicks takes over as the team’s starting center fielder, too, though it seems like a long shot. The California native had a strong first half. He was nearly an All-Star, hitting .290 with 10 homers and 37 RBI before going on the DL for the first time. He’s since fallen off. In 22 games since Aug. 10, he’s hit .207 with three homers. Meanwhile, Ellsbury has been very good the last month. Since Aug. 26, he’s hitting .324 with two homers and six stolen bases in 36 games.

PUSHES EVERYONE BACK: Less playing time for Clint Frazier and Tyler Wade, who weren’t getting much in the first place.

The area of Yankee Stadium where a Todd Frazier foul ball struck and hurt a fan Wednesday afternoon.

By Brendan Kuty

NEW YORK — Medical personnel carried away a fan who was hit and apparently hurt by a screaming line drive foul ball in the the bottom of the fifth inning at the Yankees-Twins game Wednesday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Play was halted for at least five minutes as other fans yelled for first responders to help the fan, who was a little girl (age unknown), according to an eyewitness on the scene.

Sean Cushing of Manhattan was standing on the concourse about 30 feet away when the accident happened.

Cushing said the ball hit the girl almost square in the mouth.

It’s unknown if the girl lost consciousness, but by the time she left the seats, Cushing said she was crying and responsive.

Cushing said the girl was taken to the first aid stand near the seats before leaving the ballpark on a stretcher.

Todd Frazier, who the line drive, spent most of the time on a knee. Yankees third base coach Joe Espada crouched and appeared to be praying.

The Yankees released a statement Wednesday afternoon regarding the accident:

“The child who was struck with a batted ball today was given first aid at the ballpark and is receiving medical attention at an area hospital. The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, prevents the team from giving more information. We will have no further comment at this time.”

The first aid station at Yankee Stadium where an injured fan went after being hit by a line drive off the bat of Todd Frazier.

That wild pitch was one of four in the game by Yankees pitchers, and Sanchez deserves some of the blame.

On his first day back from a three-game suspension for throwing sucker punches in a brawl-filled game in Detroit on Aug 24, Sanchez once again provided offense going 2-for-3 with two RBIs while not having a great game behind the dish.

“Sanchez has got a ways to go defensively, and I knew it all along,” a Major League scout for an opposing club told NJ Advance Media. “He gets very lazy. He wants to reach instead of shifting his feet. He tries to get away with stuff because of his strong arm.”

How big a problem is this?

“I’ll tell you what,” the scout said. “I’ll go on the record right now and say it: For the playoffs, you watch, Austin Romine will catch more than Sanchez. Romine doesn’t have much of an arm, but he’s the better catcher.”

Sanchez, 24 is still in his first full season and already considered one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball. He hit 20 homers in 53 games last year as a rookie, then 28 more so far this season despite spending almost a month on the disabled list.

Behind the plate, his arm is a big strength and his game calling has been praised all year by Yankees manager Joe Girardi. But blocking balls and mistakes have been a big issue to the point Sanchez was called out by Girardi in a post-game interview last month.

Some of Sanchez’ defensive stats are scary bad.

His 14 passed balls and 12 errors lead the AL. He’s also tied for the league lead for being behind the plate for the most wild pitches, 47, and the guy he’s tied with, Mike Zunino of the Seattle Mariners, has caught 100 2/3 more innings.

“That’s not good,” the scout said. “That tells me that that’s a guy that takes more pride in his hitting than he does in his defense, and his defense is the most important part.”

How many of the Yankees’ four wild pitches on Friday are on Sanchez, who has been saying he’s working hard every day to improve?

“It’s something that I would have to look at,” Girardi said after the game. “I thought he made some pretty decent blocks on some tough splits.”

A former catcher, Girardi probably was more bothered than he let on because the wild pitch that didn’t hit the dirt contributed to a game-changing, four-run rally.

The scout who talked to NJ Advance Media said that he’s surprised Sanchez hasn’t improved a lot defensively over the last two seasons because Tony Pena is on the Yankees’ coaching staff. Pena was one of the best offensive and defensive catchers in baseball during his playing days, a five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner.

And like Sanchez, Pena is Dominican.

“I thought Sanchez was going to take off because he’s around Tony Pena every day,” the scout said. “It hasn’t happened. But Sanchez is still young and somebody needs to beat into his head – it might have to be some pitcher – ‘Hey, look man, we know you can hit. You’re most important job is handling us. Until you get that in your head, you’re not going to be a superstar.'”

There’s another issue the scout has with Sanchez … his frequent mound visits.

“In one of the Red Sox games last weekend, Sanchez went to the mound to talk to Dellin Betances about five or six times in one inning,” the scout said. “It happened almost every time with two strikes, and I’m sitting there like, ‘Come on, the deuce is very easy (to call). Betances has a put-away breaking ball. With two strikes, it’s almost unhittable. Throw it. Trust yourself to block it if it’s in the dirt.

“You watch, somebody is going to say something, and there’s going to be some rule changes on that. The other night it got to the point where Girardi put his head down and started shaking his head.”

What does the scout think of Sanchez’ game calling?

“It’s gotten better,” he said. “It’s not elite, but it’s not the worst.”

The scout predicts all of these defensive issues will be solved long before the Yankees would even consider having preliminary internal discussions on switching Sanchez to another position, such as full-time designated hitter.

“I think he can be an everyday catcher,” the scout said. “His arm is one of the best in baseball. It might be the best in baseball. And I think there’s no question he’s the best-hitting catcher in baseball. It’s not even close.

“He’s just got to get in his mind that catching is a little bit more important than just going up there and whacking the ball over the fence all the time.”

Gene “Stick” Michael, a beloved Yankees figure who helped build the late-90s dynasty, has died from a heart attack. He was 79.

Michael was the Yankees manager in 1981-82 and the GM from 1991-95, when he drafted Derek Jeter and guided the organization during George Steinbrenner’s suspension.

Michael was the true architect of the teams that would win four World Series in five years from 1996-2000. Beyond Jeter, he drafted or signed the entire Core Four: Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada.

After his run as GM, Michael stuck with the organization, serving as the vice-president of major league scouting until 2003, when he was promoted to vice president and senior adviser.

As a player, “Stick” — a reference to his build — was a shortstop from 1966-75, and with the Yankees from 1968-74.

BALTIMORE — Adam Warren was placed on the DL with lower back spasms and there is a chance the valuable right-handed reliever could miss the rest of the regular season.

“Right now the doctors recommended he rest for two weeks. We were hoping to get him back here in Baltimore but we didn’t,’’ Girardi said of Warren, who last pitched Friday and experienced the problem Sunday. “We left him home Sunday and he had the tests Monday and they recommended two weeks’ rest.’’

Because Warren, who has appeared in 45 games, isn’t a starter Girardi has hope he will return before the postseason opens.

“You would think as a reliever at two weeks if he is physically OK that you could get him back at some point,’’ Girardi said of Warren, who is 3-2 with a 2.40 ERA. “But that is if he is OK after two weeks.’’

NEW YORK — The Yankees’ first September call-ups were added to the club on Friday, as three pitchers and a catcher were called up from the minors.

Also, the Yankees activated designated hitter Matt Holliday from the disabled list and transferred pitcher Luis Cessa from the 10-day DL to the 60-day DL to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for catcher Erik Kratz, who was acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Indians on Thursday.

2017 fielding stats: Yankees, no errors in 5 games (4 starts) at 1st base, no errors in 1 game in right field. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA), 1 error in 24 games (24 starts) at 1st base; no errors in 4 games (4 starts) in right field. Trenton (AA), no errors in 2 games (2 starts) at 1st base.

September role: On the DL most of the season with two injuries, Austin hit well during his most recent stint with the Yankees and probably will be back soon to give them right-handed power off the bench as well as a first baseman to play against some left-handed starters.

September role: Montgomery has had a pretty good rookie season as the Yankees’ fifth starter, but he’s been sent down a couple times of late because management wants to limit his innings from here on out. He’ll be with the big club for most or all of September, but probably will be used in a long-relief role.

September role: The Yankees acquired Kratz from the Cleveland Indians on July 31 for cash considerations. He’ll be their No. 3 catcher except for when Gary Sanchez and Austin Romine serve suspensions handed down by MLB for their roles in last week’s brawl-filled game in Detroit. Kratz probably won’t start any games, but he could be used as a pinch-hitter at times because he offers good power from the right side.

September role: Holder spent most of the first half with the Yankees and he did very well except for two mini slumps, so look for him to be back in the big leagues in September. He recently spent two weeks on the Triple-A DL with a lower back injury, but he was activated on Aug. 24 and since returning has allowed just one run over five innings in three appearances.

September role: Mitchell has looked good at times and gone through some struggles during his big-league stints this season, but the Yankees still like his arm and he’ll probably be back with them for most or all of September as a bullpen piece.

2017 fielding stats: Yankees, 1 error in 14 games (11 starts) at 2nd base; 0 errors in 2 games (1 start) at shortstop; one error in two games (one start) in right field; 1 error in 3 games (one start) in left field. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA), 10 errors in 53 games (53 starts) at shortstop; 1 error in 13 games (13 starts) at 2nd base; 4 errors in 12 games (12 starts) at 3rd base; 0 errors in 2 games (2 starts) in left field; 0 errors in 2 games (2 starts) in center field; 0 errors in 1 game (1 start) in left field.

September role: Wade definitely will be rejoining the Yankees at some point. When? He could be back in the big leagues right away to be a pinch-run specialist, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he stays in Triple-A for the International League playoffs.

September role: Our prediction is Adams remains with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start International League playoff games, then he’ll get a first big-league call-up once the RailRiders’ season is over. He deserves to see some time with the Yankees this season after allowing two or fewer earned runs in all but five of his starts, but he’s been slumping of late with a 5.32 ERA (22 IP, 13 ER) over his last four outings.

September role: Andujar probably has been the most consistent hitter of anyone in the Yankees’ organization this season and he was 3-for-4 with a homer in his one big-league game, so he’s definitely deserving of an big-league stint this year. Look for the Yankees, however, to keep Andujar with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre until its playoff run ends because it’ll be better for him to get regular Triple-A at-bats for another one to three weeks. When he rejoins the Yankees, he’ll probably mostly sit the bench because the Yankee already have two veterans to split time at third base in Todd Frazier and Chase Headley, plus they have even more options to use at DH.

September role: Heller was up with the Yankees for two short stints earlier this year and seemed to be on track for a third, but recent struggles — he’s allowed four runs in 6 1/3 innings over his last four outings — could lead to a longer stay in Triple-A …. perhaps until Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s playoff run ends.

September role: Look for German to remain in Triple-A as a starter even though he pitched his way to his first two big-league call-ups this year (as a long reliever). He did well in his first two outings pitching for the Yankees, working 6 2/3 scoreless innings, before allowing five runs over four innings in his next three appearances.

September role: Higashioka received his first two big-league call-ups this season, and although he didn’t hit at all, the Yankees like his work behind the plate and the power that he’s shown in the minors and during spring training. Injuries, however, have derailed his season, and a shoulder issue has had him on the disabled list for all but one day since June 22. With both of their big-league catchers facing short suspensions in September and Higashioka still on the DL, the Yankees added a veteran catcher on Aug. 31 by trading for Erik Kratz, who has been in Triple-A all season but has 225 games of big-league experience. Higashioka rejoining the Yankees at some point in September seems very unlikely, but he told a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre reporter this week that he’s now 100 percent healthy. He has been throwing the last few days and he took batting practice on Thursday, but his only game action since the third week of June have been five low-level rehab games plus one with Scranton. Now that Kratz is aboard, Higashioka probably needs an injury to one of the Yankees’ three catchers to avoid spending the rest of the season in the minors.

September role: Part of the Yankees’ return from last summer’s Andrew Miller trade to Cleveland, Feyereisen has had a strong season and has been hot of late with a 1.23 ERA over 10 August outings. His first big-league opportunity won’t come this season, though, because Feyereisen isn’t the 40-man roster. Drafted while in college, he doesn’t need to be protected until he finishes his fourth pro season, which is this year.

September role: Rumbelow has pitched himself into being back on the Yankees’ radar after returning in June from April 2016 Tommy John surgery, as he’s allowed runs in just one of 16 outings since being promoted to Triple-A on July 3. He appeared in 17 games with the Yankees as a rookie in 2015, pitching to a 4.02 ERA, but won’t get another chance this year because he’s been off the 40-man roster since being released last November and then re-signed to a minor-league contract.

2017 fielding stats: Yankees, no errors in 5 games (4 starts) in center field, no errors in 1 game (1 start) in right field. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA), no errors in 63 games (62 starts) in center field; no errors in 19 games (19 starts) in left field; no errors in 14 games (14 starts) in right field.

September role: Williams played pretty well during his big-league call-ups the last two seasons, but he almost certainly won’t get another opportunity this year because he’s no longer on the 40-man roster. Also, he’s been passed in the outfield pecking order by touted prospect Clint Frazier, who did well in his first call-up this year and should be returning at some point in September from an oblique injury that’s had him on the disabled list since Aug. 10.